Duran falls short in Maryland, pushes school district through budget cuts

TRENTON — Trenton Superintendent Francisco Duran was not selected to become the superintendent of the Anne Arundel County Public Schools in Maryland, a position for which he applied earlier this year. Duran is staying in Trenton to deal with budget shortfalls due to a miscalculation of funds from the state.

Duran, who has been the Trenton School District superintendent for nearly two years, was selected as one of three top candidates to run the Annapolis based school district.

The candidate who ultimately won the position is an Anne Arundel County Public Schools insider.

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According to published reports, the Anne Arundel County Board of Education announced Wednesday the selection of Dr. George Arlotto, 50, as superintendent. Dr. Arlotto will assume his duties on July 1. Arlotto has served the 79,000 student district for most of his career and currently holds a chief of staff position.

The reasons why Duran fell short of winning the position are unknown.

In March, Duran said, “I have been selected as one of three finalists for a county superintendent position in another state. I do not know what will happen in the final analysis, but I am still fully committed to moving our district forward,”

Duran declined to comment on not being selected.

“Under Superintendent Duran’s failed leadership, our schools still do not give our Trenton children the quality education they deserve. Our precious children need a school board that puts them first. Our children deserve better,” Councilwoman At-Large Kathy McBride said in a statement.

However he will have the chance to make his promise to stay committed to Trenton school district.

One if his immediate challenges is a $700,000 budget hole created by a miss calculation of state funds.

According to district officials, the public school district must turn over $700,000 to Pace Charter School for students opting to attend that school.

Trenton School District students carry with them a certain amount of funding per pupil, when that student decides to enroll in a charter school he takes that money with him. The state gave the district money that belonged to the charter school.

Duran characterized that as a mistake on behalf of the state, since it is the one who allocates the funds based on where the students are enrolled.

Previously, Duran had to close a $10.5 million budget deficit. This was accomplished by axing 44 positions.

“Every effort was made to address our budget deficit and cut positions that did not have an immediate and direct impact on students. The decisions around cuts on positions were done with the students in mind and by consolidating the work of the functions at the district office. It is never easy to cut positions, and none of these decisions were made lightly,” said Duran.

Duran is in talks with state officials to find a way to make up for the $700,000 they counted on to balance the district’s budget.

Duran will be Trenton’s superintendent for the foreseeable future, which means he will continue to oversee the building process for a new Trenton Central High School structure in addition to budgetary challenges.